Volunteers Available for Construction & Rehabilitation Projects
HSN recently learned about YouthBuild, a local, 501c(3) non-profit organization that assists at-risk youth in obtaining their high school diploma while teaching them residential construction. They are currently seeking community projects to allow their students to utilize the skills they have learned. The scope of work the students are capable of doing includes landscaping, flooring, drywall, framing, painting, and minor non-structural repairs. YouthBuild currently has 2 groups of 8 students who are accompanied by a licensed Construction Manager on each project.
Your agency provides the construction materials and YouthBuild provides the labor and the oversight at no cost. If interested, please contact the executive director, Jennifer Taylor, at 407-585-3321.
The following comes from their informational flyer:
Seminole YouthBuild, Inc., a non-profit 501c(3) program, offers at-risk youth the opportunity to receive a formal education, on-the-job training in the construction field, counseling, leadership development, and job placement. It has assisted with the construction and rehabilitation of 20 homes for low income residents in Seminole County since its founding in 2006.
There are currently about 20 students enrolled full-time (for a 9-month cycle). Students may earn a high school diploma, OSHA Certification, on-the-job training in the construction field, and PACT certification. During the program’s first grant cycle, 16 students completed the program; 80% of the graduates received a high school diploma; 50% obtained full time employment; with an average wage of $10.17 per hour. The recidivism rate upon graduation was reduced by 80%.
The trainees are selected from the juvenile justice system, foster care, and local high schools. Sponsors include the Sanford Police Department, Seminole County Sheriff’s Office, Department of Juvenile Justice, Sanford Housing Authority, City of Sanford, Seminole County Government, Workforce Central Florida, Habitat for Humanity, Seminole County Public Schools, Seminole Community College, Northland Community Church, CBC of Seminole, Intervention Services, Wharton Smith Construction Company, Xtreme Building Contractors, McKee Construction, and Harvest Time International.
Since the program began in January 2006, they have served over 50 low-income residents of Seminole County. The trainees have volunteered over 3000 hours of service to include activities such as building wheel chair ramps for the elderly, renovating homes for low income residents, and constructing new homes with Habitat for Humanity. In addition, YouthBuild has assisted with the renovation of Safe House of Seminole (a battered and abused woman’s shelter), Saddie Holmes Help Services (a homeless shelter) ,the West Side Community Center, and the historic Hopper Academy.
Youth Build is currently funded by the Department of Labor and seeks community support to ensure this vital program continues to serve the residents of Seminole County. The average cost for a trainee to complete the 9-month YouthBuild program is $18,000. The average cost to house an inmate in the state of Florida for one year is $19,000. YouthBuild not only educates at- risk youth, but it also creates the opportunity for the graduates to become tax payers by providing job training and placement. The youth of our community are our future and we are striving to continue to provide a positive alternative to juvenile detention.
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